LOS ANGELES – Bitter Bag Battle: L.A. Boutique Claims Camila Alves Lost Them $25,000; Brazilian Supermodel Bites Back | Michael Lohan Claims Lindsay is Cutting Herself, Wants Your Help | Paula to Simon: You Are My Fungus
She’s a new mom, Matthew McConaughey's girlfriend and of course is absolutely stunning, but according to trendy Los Angeles boutique Kitson that hasn’t been enough to sell model-turned-designer Camila Alves' handcrafted handbags. The Brazilian beauty is the latest celebrity to have brought out her own fashion label Muxo which has flopped at the popular store and gone into the discount heap alongside the Lauren Conrad Collection and Victoria Beckham’s DVB Denim range.
"When Camila launched Muxo in August last year she told us she was ready for hard work and was going to do all she could to promote the line," said a Kitson rep. "But she hasn’t even been into the store once since and we can’t even get in contact with her."
The boutique claims to have spent $50,000 on the intricate handbags which come all the way from Brazil and have only managed to sell half, leaving them with a $25,000 deficit and even at 60 percent off (with a free DVD of McConaughey’s "Surfer Dude" for every purchase) Muxo still isn’t moving.
"The price point is ridiculous; she can’t compete with Gucci and Louis Vuitton if she’s not going to even promote it. Camila also promised to build a Muxo diaper bag but never delivered," the Kitson rep told Tarts, adding that they’ve since heard word that Alves’s mother in Brazil is really the mastermind behind the bags.
However Tarts has learned that McConaughey's girlfriend is going ahead with designing a diaper bag - but it will be exclusive to Lucky Brands. And according to Camila’s camp, Muxo has been very successful.
"Ms. Alves, a dedicated business owner and mother, is committed on a full time basis to the minute-by-minute operations at Muxo, a commitment that has not wavered before or since the birth of her son Levi," a rep for Muxo told Tarts. "Ms. Alves designs and manufacturers her one-of-a-kind line for the specialty and luxury hand bag markets using fine leather materials and labor intensive hand texturing techniques. Each bag, hand cut, finished and sewn, requires a second overlay process for the final artwork application that makes each and every bag unique and one-of-a-kind. The pricing of Muxo handbags is both appropriate and reasonable for the retailers and their customers."
And according to Bettina Duncan, owner of Bettina Duncan at Fred Segal which also stocks the line, Muxo is selling up a storm.
"Our clients are tired of the ubiquitous big brand names. They are looking for the unusual, stylish, individual designers that offer something really unique. All in all, the bags have been an immediate hit in an very tough market," Duncan told Tarts.
But it looks like the Muxo madness has triggered a store war between the two leading Los Angeles boutiques.
"Why buy at Bettina when you can buy the same bag at Kitson for 60 percent off? How many bags have they really sold, in this economy no one wants to be seen showing off a luxury handbag," a Kitson rep spat back. "An inside source was at the recent Muxo trunk show at Fred Segal and no one bought a bag."
Meow.
Michael Lohan Claims Lindsay is Cutting Herself, Wants Your Help
It seems Michael Lohan is getting beyond desperate to rescue is daughter Lindsay from her love affair with Samantha Ronson. In a letter to numerous media outlets including Pop Tarts, the controversial father begged for Lilo’s fans to help her realize that the spinner has put her under some sort of spell …
"After seeing promise and thanking God for Lindsay's freedom from SaMANtha's bondage, I see now, that since SaMANtha has once again, weaseled her way back into Lindsay's life, things have taken a dark turn," Michael wrote. "While I was enthused that Ali was with Lindsay, rather than SaMANtha, I am torn to see that SaMANtha has once again manipulated Lindsay into leaving her little sister in L.A., only to join SaMANtha on another DJ gig in Boston. Was this again, a means for SaMANtha to earn more money through Lindsay’s presence? Did SaMANtha's fee drop so much and so quickly when word got out that they parted ways? Are we so blind? Is Lindsay so blind? I know Dina and my kids aren't because they tell me so. But then again, why does Dina tell me one thing and do another?!"
"When a mother or father sees their child in turmoil, (losing weight, not working, and purportedly cutting herself), are we supposed to stand by, remain silent and pretend it isn't happening? Or step to the plate, and not care what people think, and do something about it?! Well, as you can see, I'm not going to sit back and let it slide. I am asking everyone out their to intervene in every way possible to help Lindsay, and quite possibly, save her life. Help this wonderful, good hearted and gifted young lady to see what SaMANtha is doing to her and how she is destroying her life."
"Help her to see that ever since SaMANtha came into her life, nothing good has come of it," Michael wrote. "As a matter of fact, Lindsay hasn't used her gifts like she did before meeting SaMANtha. Just LOOK! The proof is there! These aren't just words, but FACT! PLEASE HELP!"
So there you have it - if you should be so lucky to see the "Mean Girl" wandering the streets of your neighborhood, be sure to pull her aside and give her the good advice, you’ll be doing an amazing deed.
But back up a minute, Lindsay is cutting herself?!
A rep for Miss Lohan did not respond for comment.
Paula to Simon: You Are My Fungus
It’s no secret that "American Idol" judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul don’t always see eye-to-eye, but even despite their disagreements the "Opposites Attract" pop princess admitted she just can’t live without the caustic critic.
"He's like my fungus, it's great," Abdul told Tarts.
But if you really want to get on Simon’s scathing side, all you have to do is smile which is what happened when Idol auditions descended upon Salt Lake City.
"Everyone walked in smiling and it was making Simon crazy. He’s still cranky, we have to wheel him in and wheel him in, wheel him in ... but it's funny," Abdul added. "There is some fighting on the first show of course or it wouldn't be Paula and Simon. I tried not sitting next to him but it didn't work. I've switched seats many times but somehow I always have to end up next to him."
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